Post Introduction

Closed Church Buildings Case Officer

We are looking for a new colleague to join the dedicated team of professionals who advise on and play a key role in finding suitable new uses for church buildings that are no longer needed for regular public worship.

If you have professional qualifications in town planning, conservation or the built environment, and enjoy working creatively and strategically to solve complex challenges, we would love to hear from you. 

Watch the recording of the webinar where we shared more information about the role and what it's like to work at the NCIs...

About the Role

Our Closed Churches Regional Case Officers work with Diocese to find suitable new uses for church buildings that are no longer needed for regular public worship. This is a legal process under the provisions of the Mission and Pastoral Measure (MPM).

The Case officers use their professional specialist skills and knowledge to creatively resolve the future of closed church buildings and navigate the legal processes necessary for achieving a new and sustainable use. This involves acting as a specialist resource to dioceses and other stakeholders (e.g. local planning authorities, Historic England, solicitors and prospective purchasers), facilitating the resolution of church closure cases and managing the legal and procedural aspects.

The current Regional Case Officer vacancy is for someone to be responsible for managing cases in the dioceses of Truro, Exeter, Bath & Wells, Bristol, Salisbury, Winchester, and Portsmouth (subject to change over time).

About the Department

The Commissioners’ Closed Churches Team is regionally based, and works with Church of England dioceses to settle the future of closed church buildings. The team is part of the Cathedral and Church Buildings Department, a dedicated team of professionals who work with and advise parishes and dioceses on the care and conservation of church buildings, helping to manage the largest set of historic buildings in the country.

The Cathedral and Church Buildings Department supports the care and sustainable development of the Church of England’s 42 cathedrals and 16,000 church buildings, of which 12,500 are listed, to help fulfil the vision and strategy of the Church of England. It also supports dioceses with the disposal of church buildings no longer required for worship and finding them a new future. Through advice, guidance, advocacy and fundraising, we provide strategic support on conservation and caring for historic church buildings, making changes to support worship and communities, and working towards Net Zero Carbon 2030. Members of the department engage with dioceses, parishes and cathedral teams, as well as nationally with government, agencies, charities, funders, General Synod and across the National Church Institutions to make the case for church buildings and their vital role in worship, community and our national life.

Key role requirements

We’re looking for people with graduate or post graduate level planning or other built environment-related qualifications or accreditation (e.g. MRTPI, RIBA, RICS or IHBC), who have the ability to understand and explain complex legal documentation and processes, the ability to learn and navigate ecclesiastical legislation, to proactively drive forward casework, and to work with a range of stakeholders to find creative reuses for these important buildings.

You’ll need strong communication and interpersonal skills, and be skilled in negotiating and influencing a wide range of stakeholders with diplomacy and tact in order to maintain positive relationships while balancing differing interests.    

This interesting and varied role involves extensive travel within England with occasional overnight stay so a valid full UK driving licence is desirable. You’ll operate from a regional base location within the Southwest/Central South of England, with the expectation to work from the base location between 1 - 3 days per week with flexibility.

We are also recruiting for Assistant Case Officers who work alongside the Regional Case Officers. They provide specialist administrative support to the case officers.  These Assistant Case Officer roles are designed to offer training and development opportunities, with the intention that, over time, the Assistant CO may progress to a Regional Case Officer role.

• A market rate salary of £56,991.39, plus age-related pension contributions between 8-15% of salary. We will also match any pension contributions you make up to an additional 3% of your salary.

• 25 days annual leave (increasing to 30 days within 5 years) plus eight bank holidays and three additional days.
• We welcome all flexible working arrangement requests. This is looked at in a case-by-case scenario and if this fits within the department’s needs. We try to be as flexible as we can in your work pattern to support you with other commitments, and to give a good work-life balance.
• We offer many services and initiatives under our Family Friendly Programme, some of these include enhanced Maternity Leave initiative, Adoption Leave, Paternity Leave, & Shared Parental Leave. Structured induction programme and access to a range of development opportunities including apprenticeships.
• Automatic enrolment and access to Medicash (one of the UK’s leading health cash plan providers), providing you with many services including reimbursements for routine dental treatment, optical, specialist consultations, and therapy treatments. Unlimited access to virtual GP & Private prescription service and health & Stress related helplines.
• Access to Occupational Health, and an Employee Assistance Programme 
• Access to the Department of Education Restaurant and Westminster Abbey with a plus-one guest.
• Apply for eligibility for an Eyecare voucher.
• Opportunity to join the Civil Service Sports & Social Club, and get involved in a range of staff networks, groups and societies.

• Strive for Excellence
• Show Compassion
• Respect others
• Collaborate
• Act with Integrity